Mechanism for retaining the wing section of an implement in its raised position

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for retaining the wing section of an agricultural implement in its raised, transport position, the wing section being hingedly secured to a main frame section and movable between raised and lowered positions by means of an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder. The mechanism includes a link member mounted at one end on a pin pivotally connecting the anchor end of the cylinder to the main frame section, the link having an apertured opposite end biased to automatically engage a pin connecting the rod end of the cylinder to the wing section when the latter is moved into its raised position. A manuallyoperated lock mechanism is provided to lock the apertured end of the link out of engagement with the pin, thereby permitting the wing section to return to its lowered position.

United States Patent [191 Kulak et al.

MECHANISM FOR RETAINING THE WING SECTION OF AN IMPLEMENT IN ITS RAISEDPOSITION Inventors: John Kulak, Port Colborne, Ontario; Kenneth LawrenceKirkpatrick, Welland, Ontario, both of Canada Assignee: Deere & Company,Moline, Ill.

Filed: July 14, 1971 Appl. N0.: 162,429

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1965 Wathen et al. ..56/1 1.37/1954 Miller et al ....56/l3.6 9/1968 Caldwell ..56/6

June 5, 1973 Primary Examiner-Antonio F. Guida William A. Murray et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A mechanism for retaining the wing section of anagricultural implement in its raised, transport position, the wingsection being hingedly secured to a main frame section and movablebetween raised and lowered positions by means of an extensible andretractable hydraulic cylinder. The mechanism includes a link membermounted at one end on a pin pivotally connecting the anchor end of thecylinder to the main frame section, the link having an aperturedopposite end biased to automatically engage a pin connecting the rod endof the cylinder to the wing section when the latter is moved into itsraised position. A manually-operated lock mechanism is provided to lockthe apertured end ofthe link out of engagement with the pin, therebypermitting the wing section to return to its lowered position.

16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 5197s 3.736.735

SHEET 1 OF 2 22 2o 54 FIG. I 14? I l4 l T 50 4O 2 34 32 48 l N VEN TORSJOHN KULAK KENNETH L. KIRKPATRICK ATTORNEY FIG. 3 BY MECHANISM FORRETAINING THE WING SECTION OF AN IMPLEMENT IN ITS RAISED POSITIONBACKGOUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally toimplements having a wing or outrigger section secured to a main framesection for movement between raised and lowered positions, andmoreparticularly to a semiautomatic device for retaining such a wingsection in its raised position.

It is conventional in the design and construction of extremely wideagricultural implements to hingedly mount one or more wing or outriggerframe sections on a main frame section for movement between raised andlowered positions, thereby enabling the implement to convert from asubstantial operating width to a relatively narrow transport width. Inthose cases in which a hydraulic cylinder is employed to raise and lowerthe wing sections, it is desirable to include provision forindependently locking the sections in their raised positions, therebyavoiding the possibility of the sections falling should the hydraulicsystem experience a sudden loss of pressure. It is further desirablethat such an apparatus require minimum additional structure and operatoreffort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the primary object of the presentinvention is the provision of mechanism for retaining an implementoutrigger section in its raised, transport position, the mechanismrequiring a minimum amount of additional structure, thereby maintainingits cost at a low level, while at the same time requiring minimal manualeffort on the part of the operator.

The invention comprises, generally, a link member mounted at one end onthe pin connecting the anchor end of the hydraulic lift cylinder to themain frame section and apertured at its opposite end to receive the pinconnecting the rod end of the cylinder to the wing section. By utilizingthe pre-existing hydraulic cylinder mounting pins as anchor points forthe link, the apparatus requires no additional bracing members ormounting brackets on the implement sections.

The apertured end of the link member is mounted on the main framesection for movement toward and away from its pin-engaging position, anda spring mechanism acting between the link and main frame section urgesthe link toward this position. As the wing section is raised into itstransport position, an outer end of the pin connecting the rod end ofthe cylinder to the wing section contacts an angled end portion of thelink, forcing the link away from its pin-engaging position. When thewing section reaches its fully-raised position, the cylinder pin on thewing is aligned with the aperture on the end of the link, and the springmechanism thus urges the link into locking engagement with the pin. Theretaining mechanism includes a manually-operable device for locking thelink out of its pin-engaging position against the biasing force of thespring, thereby releasing the section from its raised position andpermitting it to return to the operating position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiment of thepresent invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a three-section flexible mowerincorporating the wing-retaining mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the retainingmechanism with the wing section of the mower positioned between itsraised and lowered positions;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the mechanism, similarto FIG. 2, though showing the wing section of the mower locked in itsfully raised position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the retaining mechanism in itslocked-out-of-engagement position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. 4, though showing themechanism in its engaged position; and

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, thewing retaining mechanism is illustrated as embodied in a three-section,flexible mower comprising a center or main frame section 10 and a pairof left and right wing or outrigger frame sections 12 and 14,respectively. Three hinges 16 mount the left wing section 12 to thecenter section 10 for swinging movement between a substantiallyhorizontal, lowered operating position as shown in FIG. 1, and asubstantially vertical, raised transport position as shown fragmentarilyin FIG. 3. The same number of hinges l8 mount the right wing section 14to the center section 10 for movement between its raised and loweredpositions. A triangular hitch structure 20 converges forwardly from theleading edge of the section 10 and is provided with a clevis 22 at itsforward end adapted for attachment to the drawbar of a tractor. Thesection 10 is supported at its rear by a pair of wheels 24 and 26rotatably carried on the ends of arms 28 and 30, respectively, the armsbeing fixed to and extending rearwardly from a transverse rockshaft 32.The shaft 32 is rockably supported on the section 10 in bearing members34 and is rotatable by means of a hydraulic cylinder 36 to raise andlower the section 10 relative to the ground. The wing section 12 issupported at its outer rear corner by a wheel 38 rotatably carried onthe end of an arm 40 which, in turn, is supported in bearings 42 and isrockable by means of a hydraulic cylinder 44 to raise and lower thesection 12 relative to the ground. In a similar manner, the section 14is supported at its outer rear corner by a wheel 46 rotatably carried onthe end of an arm 48 which, in turn, is supported in bearings 50 and isrockable by means of a hydraulic cylinder 52 to raise and lower thesection 14 relative to the ground. Although not shown in the drawings,hydraulic lines connect the cylinders 36, 44, and 52 with the hydraulicsystem on the tractor in such a manner that the sections 10, 12, and 14may be raised and lowered simultaneously.

Beneath each of the sections 10, 12, and 14 is a mower blade (not shown)mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane. The blades are driven fromthe power take-off shaft on the tractor through drive transmission meansincluding a longitudinal shaft 54 interconnecting the power take-offshaft with a gearbox on the center of the section 10, the gearbox beingobscured in FIG. 1 by a hexagonal shield 56, and a pair of rearwardlydiverging telescopic shafts 58 and 60 interconnecting output shafts onthe center gearbox with input shafts on gearboxes 62 and 64, mountedcentrally on the wing sections 12 and lid, respectively. Each of thegearboxes has a vertical output shaft mounting a mower blade on itslower end.

The wing sections 12 and M are raised and lowered relative to the centersection 66 by means of transversely aligned hydraulic cylinders 66 and66. As is apparent from FIG. l, the mechanism provided for raising andlowering the left wing section 112 is an exact mirror image of themechanism provided for raising and lowereing the right wing section 14,and in the ensuing description reference will thus be made only to theformer mechanism, illustrated in detail in FlGS. 2-6, it beingunderstood that the description applies analogously to the lattermechanism as well. As shown in FlGS. 2 and d, the inner or anchor end ofthe cylinder 66 is pivotally mounted on a pin '76 extendinglongitudinally between the corners of fore-and-aft spaced support plates72 and 74, respectively, the plates 72 and '74 being rigidly fixed tothe section 36. The outer or rod end of the cylinder is received betweenthe upper ends of a pair of parallel arms 76 and '76 and is pivotallymounted therein on a longitudinal pin 86. The lower ends of the arms 76and '76 are pivotally connected at 62 to a bracket 84 which, in turn, isrigidly fixed to the wing section 12..

When the wing section 12 is in its operating position, the cylinder 66is extended as shown in PKG. ll. As the section 12 pivots about itshinged connection with the section 16 to conform to lateral variationsin the ground level, the cylinder 66 is maintained at a fixed length,and relative pivotal movement thus takes place at the pins '76, 86, and62. To limit the downward movement of the wing section 12 relative tothe center section 16, and thus prevent the drive shaft 56 frominterfering with the right longitudinal edge of the section 112, thebracket 66 on the section 112 is provided with a stop block 66 whichengages the inner edges of the arms 76 and 76 when the section 12reaches the desired limit of its downward movement, and thus preventsfurther downward movement of the section. During initial retraction ofthe cylinder 66, no movement of the wing section takes place until thearms '76 and 76 contact the block 66, and, as shown in H6. 2, the arms'76 and 76 remain in contact with the block 66 through the initialraising of the section. As the wing section approaches its raisedposition, however, the arms 76 and '76, due to the changing line ofpull, move away from the block 66. In the fully-raised position shown inlFlG. 3, the inner or lower edge of the bracket 66 contacts the surfaceof the center section 116 to prevent further movement of the section 12.

According to the present invention, the wing section 112 is retained inits fully-raised position independently of the cylinder 66 by means of arigid link member 66 mounted at one end on the rear end portion of thepin 76 and extending transversely outwardly alonside and substantiallyparallel with the cylinder 66. The outer end of the link is apertured at96 to receive the rear end portion of the pin 66 when the section 112 isin the fullyraised position. When disposed in its locking position, thelink 66 rigidly interconnects the pins 76 and 66, thereby preventingextension of the cylinder 66 and thus downward movement of the section112.

The apertured end of the link 66 is mounted on an upstanding plate 92fixed to the surface of the section 316, for longitudinal movementtoward and away from its pin-engaging position. A pin 94 extendsrearwardly through the plate 92 and slidably receives the link 68. Fixedto the forward end of the pin 94 is an L-shaped member 96 which, as willpresently appear, serves to lock the link 68 out of its pin-engagingposition. A coil spring 98 is received on that portion of the pin 94which extends rearwardly from the link 68, and acts between the rearsurface of the link and a retaining pin 166 on the end of the pin 96 tobias the link toward its pin-engaging position. The L-shaped member 96is swingable between a substantially horizontal position, in which, asshown in FIG. 4, the rear edge of the longitudinal leg of the memberengages the front side of the link 68 and holds it away from itspin-engaging position against the biasing force of the spring 96, and adownwardly and inwardly extending position, in which, as shown in FIGS.5 and 6, the longitudinal leg of the member extends rearwardly betweenthe plate 92 and link 66. In the latter position of the member 96, thelink 66 is positioned to engage the pin 66 when the section 12 assumesits fully-raised position.

As the section 112 approaches its fully-raised position, the rear endportion of the pin 66 engages an angled outer end portion 162 of thelink 88 which forces the link rearwardly away from its pin-engagingposition. When the section 12 reaches its fully-raised position, the pin66 will be aligned with the aperture 96 in the link 66, and the spring98 will urge the link into its pinengaging position as shown in FIGS. 3,5, and 6, thereby locking the wing section in its transport position. Tolower the section 12 back to its operating position, the member 96 muctbe manually moved to its horizontal position of H6. 4, in which positionthe member 96 holds the link away from its pin-engaging position andthus releases the section 112. To ensure that the pin 66 will come intoproper alignment with the aperture 96 in the link 88 when the section 12is raised, the plate 92 is provided with a slot or guide 164 for guidingthe pin into the required position.

The complete operation of the wing retaining mechanism will now bedescribed. in preparation for raising the wing sections of the implementfrom their operating to their transport position, the operator, as asafety measure, must first disconnect the forward ends of the driveshafts S6 and 66 from the gearbox on the section 116 and secure theshafts on suitable hangers (not shown) on the respective wing sections.The L-shaped member 96 must then be moved from its horizontal positionto its downwardly and inwardly extending position, thereby permittingthe link 68 to assume its pinengaging position. The cylinder 66 is thenretracted, which swings the section 12 upwardly to its transportposition. As the section 112 approaches its fully-raised position, thepin 66 engages the angled portion 162 of the link 66, thereby forcingthe link away from its pinengaging position. When the pin 66 comes intoalignment with the aperture 96 of thelink 66, the latter snaps into itsengaging position under the biasing force of the spring 96, therebylocking the section 12 in its transport position. To lower the section112 back to its operating position, the operator must move the l.-shaped member 96 back to its horizontal position, thereby releasing thelink 66 from engagement with the pin 66, and extend the cylinder 66.Finally, the drive shafts $6 and 66 must be reconnected to therespective output shafts of the gearbox on the section 16.

We claim:

1. In combination with an implement having a first section, a secondsection pivotally connected to the first section for movement betweenlowered and raised positions, an extensible and retractable hydrauliccylinder interconnecting said first and second sections and operable tomove said second section between its lowered and raised positions, firstpin means pivotally mounting one end of the hydraulic cylinder on thefirst section, and second pin means pivotally mounting the other end ofthe hydraulic cylinder on the second section, means for releasablyretaining the second section in its raised position comprising: a linkmember mounted at one end on said first pin means and havingpin-engaging means on its other end engageable with said second pinmeans when the second section is in its raised position.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 including means biasing saidpin-engaging means into engagement with said second pin means when thesecond section is in its raised position.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 including means for selectivelylocking said pin-engaging means out of engagement with said second pinmeans.

4. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprisessupport means on said first implement section, means mounting said linkon said support means for movement of said pin-engaging means toward andaway from a pin-engaging position, and spring means acting between saidsupport means and said link member for biasing said pin-engaging meanstowards its pin-engaging position.

5. The invention defined in claim 4 including means on said secondimplement section engageable with said link as said second section ismoved toward its raised position and operable to move said pin-engagingmeans away from its pin-engaging position.

6. The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said second pin means isengageable with said link as said second section is moved toward itsraised position and operable to move said pin-engaging means away fromits pin-engaging position.

7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said pinengaging meanscomprises an aperture in said link adapted to receive said second pinmeans.

8. The invention defined in claim 4 including means on said supportmeans for selectively locking said pinengaging means out of itspin-engaging position.

9. The invention defined in claim 4 including guide means on saidsupport means for guiding said second pin means into position to engagesaid pin-engaging means as said second implement section is moved towardits raised position.

10. The invention defined in claim 1 further characterized by a linkmember support on the first implement section adjacent said other end,said link member is connected to the support to yield axially withrespect to the second pin means and has an outer end portion projectingtoward the second section beyond the pinengaging means and itsconnection to the support, said end portion being angled axially withrespect to the second pin means and engageable with the latter as thesecond section moves from its lowered to its raised position.

11. The invention defined in claim 10 in which the pin-engaging means isa hole in said link member that receives the end of the second pin andthe end of the second pin engages the outer end portion of the link asthe second section is raised to thereby force the link axially outwardlyto permit entry of the end into the hole.

12. The invention defined in claim 1 1 further characterized by anadjustable member movably supported on the support and manuallyadjustable for insertion between the link member and support to hold thelink member and its pin-engaging means out of engagement with the secondpin means.

13. In combination with an implement having a first section, a secondsection pivotally connected to the first section for movement betweenlowered and raised positions, an extensible and retractable hydrauliccylinder interconnecting said first and second sections and operable tomove said second section between its lowered and raised positions, firstpin means pivotally mounting one end of the hydraulic cylinder on thefirst section, and second pin means pivotally mounting the other end ofthe hydraulic cylinder on the second section, means for releasablyretaining the second section in its raised position comprising: a linkmember mounted at one end on said first section and having pin-engagingmeans on its other end engageable with said second pin means when thesecond section is in its raised position, a link member support on saidfirst section adjacent the other end of said link member, said linkmember being connectedto the support to yield axially with respect tothe second pin means and having an outer end portion projecting towardthe second section beyond the pin-engaging means and its connection tothe support, said end portion being angled axially with respect to thesecond pin means and engageable with the latter as the second sectionmoves from its lowered to its raised position.

14. The invention defined in claim 13 wherein said link member ismounted at one end on said first pin means.

15. The invention defined in claim 13 in which the pin-engaging means isa hole in said link member that receives the end of the second pin andthe end of the second pin engages the outer end portion of the link asthe second section is raised to thereby force the link axially outwardlyto permit entry of the end into the hole.

16. The invention defined in claim 15 further characterized by anadjustable member movably supported on the support and manuallyadjustable for insertion between the link member and support to hold thelink member and its pin-engaging means out of engagement with the secondpin means.

i l l i

1. In combination with an implement having a first section, a secondsection pivotally connected to the first section for movement betweenlowered and raised positions, an extensible and retractable hydrauliccylinder interconnecting said first and second sections and operable tomove said second section between its lowered and raised positions, firstpin means pivotally mounting one end of the hydraulic cylinder on thefirst section, and second pin means pivotally mounting the other end ofthe hydraulic cylinder on the second section, means for releasablyretaining the second section in its raised position comprising: a linkmember mounted at one end on said first pin means and havingpin-engaging means on its other end engageable with said second pinmeans when the second section is in its raised position.
 2. Theinvention defined in claim 1 including means biasing said pin-engagingmeans into engagement with said second pin means when the second sectionis in its raised poSition.
 3. The invention defined in claim 2 includingmeans for selectively locking said pin-engaging means out of engagementwith said second pin means.
 4. The invention defined in claim 2 whereinsaid biasing means comprises support means on said first implementsection, means mounting said link on said support means for movement ofsaid pin-engaging means toward and away from a pin-engaging position,and spring means acting between said support means and said link memberfor biasing said pin-engaging means towards its pin-engaging position.5. The invention defined in claim 4 including means on said secondimplement section engageable with said link as said second section ismoved toward its raised position and operable to move said pin-engagingmeans away from its pin-engaging position.
 6. The invention defined inclaim 5 wherein said second pin means is engageable with said link assaid second section is moved toward its raised position and operable tomove said pin-engaging means away from its pin-engaging position.
 7. Theinvention defined in claim 6 wherein said pin-engaging means comprisesan aperture in said link adapted to receive said second pin means. 8.The invention defined in claim 4 including means on said support meansfor selectively locking said pin-engaging means out of its pin-engagingposition.
 9. The invention defined in claim 4 including guide means onsaid support means for guiding said second pin means into position toengage said pin-engaging means as said second implement section is movedtoward its raised position.
 10. The invention defined in claim 1 furthercharacterized by a link member support on the first implement sectionadjacent said other end, said link member is connected to the support toyield axially with respect to the second pin means and has an outer endportion projecting toward the second section beyond the pin-engagingmeans and its connection to the support, said end portion being angledaxially with respect to the second pin means and engageable with thelatter as the second section moves from its lowered to its raisedposition.
 11. The invention defined in claim 10 in which thepin-engaging means is a hole in said link member that receives the endof the second pin and the end of the second pin engages the outer endportion of the link as the second section is raised to thereby force thelink axially outwardly to permit entry of the end into the hole.
 12. Theinvention defined in claim 11 further characterized by an adjustablemember movably supported on the support and manually adjustable forinsertion between the link member and support to hold the link memberand its pin-engaging means out of engagement with the second pin means.13. In combination with an implement having a first section, a secondsection pivotally connected to the first section for movement betweenlowered and raised positions, an extensible and retractable hydrauliccylinder interconnecting said first and second sections and operable tomove said second section between its lowered and raised positions, firstpin means pivotally mounting one end of the hydraulic cylinder on thefirst section, and second pin means pivotally mounting the other end ofthe hydraulic cylinder on the second section, means for releasablyretaining the second section in its raised position comprising: a linkmember mounted at one end on said first section and having pin-engagingmeans on its other end engageable with said second pin means when thesecond section is in its raised position, a link member support on saidfirst section adjacent the other end of said link member, said linkmember being connected to the support to yield axially with respect tothe second pin means and having an outer end portion projecting towardthe second section beyond the pin-engaging means and its connection tothe support, said end portion being angled axially with respect to thesecond pin means and engageable with the latter as the second sectionmoves from its lowered to its raised position.
 14. The invention definedin claim 13 wherein said link member is mounted at one end on said firstpin means.
 15. The invention defined in claim 13 in which thepin-engaging means is a hole in said link member that receives the endof the second pin and the end of the second pin engages the outer endportion of the link as the second section is raised to thereby force thelink axially outwardly to permit entry of the end into the hole.
 16. Theinvention defined in claim 15 further characterized by an adjustablemember movably supported on the support and manually adjustable forinsertion between the link member and support to hold the link memberand its pin-engaging means out of engagement with the second pin means.